Salary: $124,092.00 - $149,724.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Exempt
Job Number: 2026-PSP-003
Department: Puget Sound Partnership
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/21/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Science and Evaluation Director(EMS BAND 3)

Full-Time | Exempt | Monday - Friday | 8:00AM - 5:00PM
The full position salary range is $124,092 - $149,724; however, the annual starting/hiring salary range for the candidate selected for hire will be between $124,092 - $136,908 depending upon qualifications.
The nature of this role relies heavily on remote and in-person collaboration. This position is required to report weekly on-site for in-office work and possibly meetings with partners at project locations around the Puget Sound Region. This position will not be eligible for out-of-state telework. The default assigned work location of all Partnership positions - both on-site and telework - is within the State of Washington. Employees have a choice for their onsite work between our Olympia, Tacoma, or Seattle locations. Travel requirements are limited. If you currently live outside of Washington state, newly hired employees must relocate to Washington state within 30 days of starting employment, and report to the Olympia office headquarters in person on the first day of employment.

About this Opportunity
Are you a collaborative leader passionate about protecting and restoring Puget Sound, with a strong focus on science? If so, you may be the next Science and Evaluation Director of the Puget Sound Partnership. As our Science and Evaluation Director, you will set the strategic direction for a multidisciplinary program spanning ecosystem monitoring, research, evaluation, social science, salmon recovery, and adaptive management. The Director determines the research, monitoring, and evaluation activities required to measure progress towards ecosystem recovery goals. You will lead a committed team and help shape the future of science-informed policies, investments, and partnerships that drive real progress for Puget Sound recovery.

We're looking for someone who understands this is a pivotal time for Puget Sound - we have established science-based indicators and a network of dedicated scientists and implementers actively managing toward a healthy Puget Sound for future generations. Protecting Puget Sound isn't just about clean water and healthy habitat - it's about the people, cultures, and ways of life connected to this place. At the Partnership, we take an expansive view of science, encompassing Traditional Ecological Knowledge, social science, community science, and knowledge gained through lived experience. The Director will lead a program that brings together multiple knowledge systems and perspectives to inform the work and generate durable environmental solutions.

We value a diversity of perspectives and experiences. What matters most is that you bring integrity, humility, strategic thinking, and a heart for this work. If this sounds like you - or if you're curious and want to learn more - we encourage you to apply. Let's talk about how you might help shape the future of Puget Sound.

The default assigned work location of all Partnership positions - both on-site and telework - is within the State of Washington. Employees have a choice for their onsite work between our Olympia, Tacoma, or Seattle locations. However, you may be required to work at a specific location occasionally based on business needs. Employees must be able and prepared to report to any of the three locations as requested by agency Leadership. If you currently live outside of Washington state, newly hired employees must relocate to Washington state within 30 days of starting employment, and report to the Olympia office headquarters in person on the first day of employment.

For more information about PSP, resources, and benefits, visit our website: To learn more details of this role, email and request the full job description.
Duties

Some of What You'll Enjoy Doing Includes:

• Determine, prioritize, and oversee research, monitoring, and evaluation activities to track ecosystem recovery progress and address critical knowledge gaps that inform policy and decision-making.
• Develop and manage Science and Evaluation Program work plans, budgets, contracts, grants, and inter-agency agreements to ensure efficient resource allocation and program accountability.
• Direct the Strategic Science Plan and Science Work Plan, aligning research priorities and funding with the Action Agenda, Salmon Recovery Plan, and Puget Sound Implementation Plan.
• Respect, identify, and integrate Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Ecological Knowledge into strategic science directions and recovery initiatives.
• Coordinate and assist the Puget Sound Partnership's Science Panel in fulfilling its duties, including oversight of monitoring programs and strategic science planning.
• Collaborate with internal teams to maintain systems for assessing ecosystem health and evaluating management outcomes.
• Convene and build strong collaborative partnerships with scientists and managers across local, state, federal, and Tribal agencies, representing the Partnership at diverse regional, national, and international forums.
• Provide comprehensive supervision, mentoring, and clear performance expectations to direct reports while upholding human resources policies and fostering professional growth and staff accountability.
• Serve on the Leadership Team to align program operations with agency-wide strategic goals, promote a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, and make data-driven decisions based on Tribal and partner feedback.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Primary residency in Washington state upon the start of employment, and the ability to conduct in-person work in the Puget Sound area for a set of regular and frequent hours determined by the agency.
• Professional experience, lived experience, or education that demonstrates multi-year, sustained success with the following:
  • Directed program management, budget development, and work planning to optimize fund utilization, generate cost savings, and establish structured, adaptive frameworks.
  • Led scientific investigations, analyses, and quality assurance/quality control protocols to maintain research integrity, publish findings, and facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
  • Managed adaptive ecosystem recovery efforts to deliver measurable ecological improvements and build resilient, long-term conservation outcomes.
  • Facilitated multi-party collaborations across federal, state, Tribal, business, and NGO partners to eliminate implementation barriers, build trust, and drive high-impact outcomes.
  • Supervised staff and translated complex science for diverse audiences to boost team performance, improve public engagement, and inform policy and industry decisions.

In addition to the above required qualifications, a candidate must possess the following skills, abilities, and competencies:

• Inclusive leadership approach grounded in self-awareness, active reflection on personal bias, and a commitment to honoring diverse perspectives and identities.
• Applied expertise in natural and social sciences, Indigenous Knowledge, and adaptive management frameworks to convert ecosystem recovery research into tangible conservation actions.
• Advanced skill in conducting scientific analyses, syntheses, and report writing, as well as evaluating ecosystem conditions and the effectiveness of management interventions.
• Proficient in strategic planning, program and project evaluation, contract management, and implementing best practices for soliciting and funding research across diverse partner organizations.
• Highly effective public speaker capable of translating complex scientific concepts for diverse audiences to foster transparency and engagement.

Preferred QualificationsThese additional qualifications are not required, but highly desirable:

• Competency in written and oral communication related to ecosystems, ecosystem recovery and protection, and the role of science in ecosystem management.
• Comparable lived experience, M.S, or Ph.D. in a relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience with State of Washington procurement and contracting practices.
• Working knowledge of Puget Sound ecosystems (marine/nearshore, freshwater, and terrestrial)communities.

If you think you don't have every qualification listed, please apply anyway! Studies have shown that historically marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification - even if they might be a great fit for the role! If you're excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every single qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider applying. If you have lived experience that is equivalent to the preferred experience mentioned above, please apply! Share your experience in your cover letter and how your overall experience qualifies you as a competitive candidate for this type of work. Your relevant experience may be evaluated to determine salary. Therefore, it is very important that the "Work Experience" portion of the application be completed in as much detail as possible.
Supplemental Information

How to Apply
To be considered for this opportunity, please include the following with your online application:

• An attached Resume outlining (in reverse chronological order) your experience to date.
• An attached Cover Letter that describe how your qualifications prepare you for this role.
• Three (3) individual references who can attest to your work performance, technical skills, and job-related competencies. This information can be entered in the "References" section of the online application; does not require an additional attachment.

If you qualify for (veteran, surviving spouse, registered domestic parter of an eligible veteran, or a spouse of an active duty service member with a service-connected disability), please do the following:

• Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please black out any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. Include your name as it appears on your application in

No other documents are necessary to apply for this position.

Please click the "APPLY" button to proceed. Note that you will be prompted to either sign in or create an account. This step is required in order to submit an application to this opportunity.

We ask that you do not include the below in any of your application documents:

• Do not include your salary history. Salary offers are based on the quality of your skill set and not whether you have the right salary history.
• Please remove any private or personal information such as your social security number, date of birth, marital status, family status, and no photos of yourself, etc.
• Do not attach documents that are password protected.

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the application. Please do not say "refer to resume for detail" in your question responses, or your application may be disqualified.

OTHER INFORMATION
This is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.